Herrin CUSD 4 board adopts amended FY26 budget, approves personnel and other routine measures

Herrin Community Unit School District 4 trustees on June 30 adopted an amended fiscal-year 2026 budget to reflect bond refinancing completed late last year and early this year, and they approved a slate of routine and personnel items.

Superintendent Mr. Wilson said the amended budget mirrors the version presented tentatively in May and that the only substantive change is to reconcile the district's accounts with proceeds and adjustments from refinancing bonds. "There have been no changes since then," he said, describing the amendment as largely an accounting alignment tied to the refinancing.

The board conducted the required public hearing on the amended budget before voting. After no public questions, trustees moved to adopt the budget and recorded roll-call affirmatives from Cindy Miller, John Hutchinson, Kelly Green, Ley, Susan, Robinson and Town.

Why it matters: adopting the amended budget clears the district to proceed with FY26 spending and ensures the school's financial plan reflects the final structure of bond obligations after refinancing. The hearing satisfied the Illinois school-code requirement that a public hearing precede formal adoption of an amended budget.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows multiple formal motions and roll-call votes. Key items and outcomes included: a roll-call adoption of the fiscal-year 2026 amended budget; approval of the consent agenda; approval of the 2026-27 handbooks; establishment of the board's regular meeting schedule (fourth Tuesday of each month); approval of FY27 administrative and non-union salaries; and approval of personnel recommendations and vacancy postings.

Insurance, facilities and programs: Administration reported that the district solicited bids for property and casualty insurance; two complete package bids were received, but the incumbent carrier offered the most competitive packages and the district will not change carriers. Mr. Wilson also updated trustees on summer projects including entrance window film, high-school bathroom renovations, parking-lot fence rail installation and pending playground and concrete work.

Community note: During public comment, Laura Heert, a local property owner and taxpayer, urged the board to acknowledge and support the district's grant-writing staff, crediting grants for adding pre-K, playground equipment, a driving simulator and supplies for vocational and nursing instruction. The board also recognized Janine Coffee and staff for producing 8,412 summer meals for families in the district.

Next steps: The board completed several personnel votes and approved a motion to close a portion of the meeting under the Illinois Open Meetings Act to address personnel exceptions and to consider Resolution 630.1 (reduction in force). The meeting adjourned with the next regular meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the unit office conference room.